WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for the White House and State Department to order an independent investigation into the September 6 shooting death of University of Washington graduate Aysenur Ezgi Eygi while she was peacefully protesting in the West Bank.
“It is critical that the U.S. government do everything it can to fully understand what led to her death and pursue accountability for those involved,” Sen. Cantwell wrote in the letter. “I therefore ask that the White House and State Department order an independent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi, the process and scope of which will engender the full trust and confidence of her family. All democracies must have accountability, including for members of the government and military, and follow the rule of law. As Vice President Harris stated, ‘No one should be killed for participating in a peaceful protest.’”
The full text of the letter is linked here and below:
Dear President Biden and Secretary Blinken:
On Friday, September 6, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American citizen, Washington state resident, and University of Washington graduate, was killed by the Israeli Defense Forces in the West Bank. I share the grief of her family and friends for what Secretary Blinken described as an “unprovoked and unjustified” death while she was peacefully protesting.
It is critical that the U.S. government do everything it can to fully understand what led to her death and pursue accountability for those involved. I therefore ask that the White House and State Department order an independent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi, the process and scope of which will engender the full trust and confidence of her family. All democracies must have accountability, including for members of the government and military, and follow the rule of law. As Vice President Harris stated, “No one should be killed for participating in a peaceful protest.”
Sadly, this is not the first American from Washington state to be killed while protesting in the Middle East. In 2003, Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old from Olympia, Washington, was crushed to death by an Israeli government bulldozer intent on destroying Palestinian homes. As the Corrie family noted, in the past “the ultimate goals of a credible investigation and accountability were never met.” I urge any full independent investigation into the current situation learn the lessons from this tragic event. I agree with President Biden that “Israel must do more to ensure that incidents like this never happen again.”
With the war in Gaza there is an ongoing concern that the fighting will expand to elsewhere in the region. Yet, Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government continue to inflame hostilities in the West Bank. Only by de-escalating tensions can we continue to strive to reach an enduring peace that recognizes and respects the rights and dignity of both peoples.
I look forward to your prompt response.
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